Feeler mechanism



Sept. 15, 1931. J. c. BROOKS 1,823,423

FEELER MECHANIISM Filed Nov. 13, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A TTORNE Y Sept. 15, 1931. J, c. BROOKS 1,823,423

'- EEELER MECHANISM Filed Nov. 13, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

fig 1 VENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 15, 1931 NETED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN C. BROOKS, OF PATERS ON, NEl/V JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO DR-APER CORPORATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE FEELER MECHANISM Application filed. November 13, 1930. Serial No. 495,322.

This invention relates to 'fe eler mechanisms for looms and is more particularly directed to feeler mechanisms of the calipering or measuring type.

' It is now the ordinary practice to provide feeler mechanisms of the calipering ormeasuring type to engage the filling in the shuttle on each detecting beat and upon substantial exhaustion of filling to call for a change in the loom operation, as for instancefilling replenishment. In such prior constructions the feeler is usually impelled to its rearward feeling position under the action of a spring and the recurring contacts with the'filling during weaving frequently injures the filling to such an extent that defective cloth results, a condition more particularly observable in weaving with fine yarn, such as rayon, silk, artificial silk or the like.

a The lay movement during weaving is ordinarily in a curvedpath, and since the ordinary calipering or measuring feeler is mounted in a fixed position for movement .1 towards and from the front of the loom,

the filling engaging end of the feeler will move over the filling in a diagonal path as thelay beats up, thereby further injuring the filling.

In another class of feeler mechanisms generally known as theside slipping type, the

filling engaging end of the feeler is pro' vided with teeth or similar means to sink into the filling on detectingbeats and prevent movement of the feeler longitudinally along the filling when a working supply is present, but when the filling has become substantially exhausted the engagingteeth will not be held by the filling and so the feeler side slips under the frontward pres-f sure of a surface within the shuttle on de-' tecting beats. v

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a calipering or measuring feeler that will overcome the objectionable action of such feelers as heretofore devised. More specifically stated, the present inven tion consists in providing a feeler with the filling engaging end thereof constituted as a rolling surface or roller which is free to move along the filling for a maximum amount when a working supply is present in the shuttle and to a minimum extent when the filling is substantially exhausted and associated with such type of feeler, means are provided independent of the filling for relieving the pressure of the roller against the filling as the lay beats up.

Another important feature of the invention consists in so mounting the feeler upon the loom frame that as the lay beats up the feeler itself will not be moved diagonally over the filling as heretofore but will take of a curvilinear movement substantially coincident with the path of lay movement, with the result that the feeler remains in contact with the same portion of the filling on each detecting beat to thereby avoid the scraping action upon the filling that will take place should the feeler not have the desired movement.

The invention and novel features thereof will best be made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings of one good embodiment thereof.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a feeler, mechanism containing the present 1nven-' tion;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail showing the relation of parts when filling replenishment is called.

Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views showing the feeler as engaged with the filling in the shuttle as it is moved frontwardly and illustrating the roller contact with the filling;

5 is a plan View showing the relation of parts when the feeler detects a working supply of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the relation of parts when the feeler detects substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle. The change in the loom operation caused by detection of substantial exhaustion in the shuttle may result either in loom stoppage or replenishment of filling and in the present illustration of the invention replenishment of filling is contemplated, Since,

however, the details of the replenishing mechanism form no essential part of the present invention and are now well understood in the art, illustration of the replenishing mechanism and its details is omitted.

In accordance with the present invention a feeler carrier is provided for movement towards and from the front. of the loom and on the feeler carrier is a slide which is connected to the feeler likewise pivotally mounted upon the feeler carrier, with the result that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle and the feeler moves a maximum amount along the filling, the

slide will be drawn from its operative or filling change position, but when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat and the feeler moves a minimum amount along the filling or filling carrier the slide is permitted to remain in operative position to call for a change'of filling. In other words, the feeler carrier is moved frontwardly to relieve the pressure of the feeler upon the filling.

The loom frame 1, only a small portion of which is shown, may be of usual character and extending rearwardly therefrom is a bracket 2, to which is pivoted at 3 the arms 4 onwhich is mounted the feeler carrier 5 andit will be noted that the pivotal support for the feeler carrier 5 is disposed be low the path of lay movement,

The feeler carrier is normally held in its rearward position by a spring 6 and a stop 3 7 is provided to limit the rearward move ment of the feeler carrier under the stress of the spring 6. I

' The feeler carrier 5 is provided with a slide guideway 8, in which is mounted a slide 9 for movement in a direction transversely of the loom or parallel with the lay.

The slide 9-may be variously contrived and is herein shown as held in the guides of the feelercarrier by cap pieces 10 and a spring :11 connecting to the slide at 12 and one of the cap pieces 13 normally impels the slide to its operative or filling change position.

-The feeler slide 5 has a frontwardly extending portion 14 on which is pivotally mounted at 15 the feeler arm 16, the filling end portion of which is constituted by a roller 17. The feeler arm 16 is connected tothe slide 9, as shown, by a link 18 connected to the slide at 19 andto the feeler arm 16 at 20, the result being that when the feeler arm 16 is displaced longitudinally by a working supply of filling, as the roller 17 movesalong the filling on a detecting beat, theslide 9 is'withdrawn from its operative position against the tension of the spring' 11, and in order to limit the movement of the slide 9' under the impulse of the spring 11 when the feeler is not engaged with the filling, a stop 21 is provided. ,7

Thelay 22 may be of usual construction and is provided with a shuttle box, the front wall 23 of which is provided with an opening 24 which registers with an opening 25 in the front wall of the shuttle 26 when the latter is in the shuttle box.

From the construction thus far described it will be apparent that whenthe roller 17 contacts with the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat. the roller will roll along the filling an amount dependent upon the diameter of the filling in the shuttle and as a result thereof the slide 9 will be withdrawn from its active or operative position and as the lay goesback it will return to its operative position under the action of the spring 11.

In weaving with line yarns it is essential that the pressure of the roller'17 against the filling be relieved and to this end means are provided independent of the filling for moving the feeler carrier 5 frontwardly on each detecting beat and since the feeler arm 16 is mountedupon the feeler carrier the roller pressure against the filling will be relieved as the lay heats up.

As one good form of means for relieving the pressure of the roller upon the filling as the'roller moves along the filling the cam follower 27, which may be actuated as usual from the cam on the lower or cam shaft, is provided with a projection 28 which may be appropriately secured to the cam follower as indicated in Fig. 1. When therefore the feeler arm is moved laterally by a working supply of filling inthe shuttle on a detecting beat, as indicated in Fig. 5, the slide 9 will be withdrawn from its operative or filling change,position, and as the cam follower 27 moves frontwardly it will engage the end portion of the slide thereby causing the feeler carrier 5 to be swung frontwardly about its pivotal support'3 and consequently relieve the pressure of the roller 17 against the filling. I 7

When, however, the feeler arm "and roller 17 detect a substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle, as indicated in Fig. 6, the slide 9 will not be withdrawn to the same extent as when a working supply of filling is in "the shuttle, with the result'that the end of L the slide 9 will remain in the path of the end portion 29 of the cam follower and again the feeler carrier will be moved frontward- 1y to relieve the pressure on the surface within the shuttle and the extent of movement by the end portion 29 of the cam follower will be greater than that caused by the projection 28, so that at the moment of filling change the feeler arm and roller will be moved frontwardly a sufiicient amount, as indicated in Fig. 2, to entirely withdraw the roller 17 from the shuttle andthereby permit replenishment when the feeler is employed at the replenishing side of the loom.

As hereinbefore noted, the feeler mechanism of the present invention is intended to cause a change in the loom operation when the feeler detects substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat and in the present illustration such change in the loom operation consists in the actuation of a train of mechanism for effecting replenishment.

Pivotally mounted on a suitable support at 30 is a filling change transmitter, the

downwardly extending arnr31 of which is shown as disposed frontwardly of the cam follower and slide 9, but in such proximity thereto that should the slide 9 be withdrawn I from its operative position by a working supply of filling, as indicated in Fig. 5, the end of the slide will be withdrawn from between the cam follower and the arm 31 of the transmitter, so that filling change will I not;be called and yet the projection 28 of the cam follower will engage the end of the slide as indicated in Fig. 5 and cause movement of the feeler carrier frontwardly about its pivotal support to thereby relieve the pressure of 'the roller 17 against the filling.

Should the feeler arm detect substantial exhaustion of filling, as indicated'in Fig. 6,

the slide 9 will not be withdrawn from be tween the arm .31 ofthe transmitter and the end of the cam follower, with the result that on forward movement of the cam follower, as usual, its end 29 will engage the end of the slide, move the feeler carrier frontwardly' and cause the arm 31 of the transmitter to be actuated to thereby effect replenishment of filling.

Having referencemore particularly to the diagrammatic views in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that when the roller 17 first engages the filling in the shuttle the feeler arm 16 will be substantially horizontal, as indicated in Fig. 3, and as the feeler carrier 5 is moved frontwardly by the cam follower or the projection thereon to relieve the pressure of the roller 17 against the filling the filling engaging end of the feeler arm will be moved frontwardly in a curved path substantially the same as the curved path of the lay movement, thereby preventing diagonal movement of the roller 17 over the filling thus avoiding rubbing contact in a diagonal direction of the roller 17 upon the filling.

From the construction described as one good form or embodiment of the invention it will be apparent that the feeler arm is of the calipering or measuring type and that the roller 17 of the feeler arm will roll or movement and as the lay beats up the pressure of the roller upon the filling will be relieved. It will also be obvious that the .roller 17 freely rolls over the filling! in amounts dependent upon the diameter of the filling and when the diameter has decreased to substantial exhaustion and the feeler carrier is moved frontwardly by the cam follower to relieve the pressure of the roller against filling and cause movement of the roller in substantially the curved path or lay movement, that the slide 9 will engage the arm of the transmitter and through the usual train of mechanism effect replenishment.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler arm having a filling engaging end adapted to move along the filling in the shuttle on each detecting beat, a support for the feeler, and means inclependent of the filling for moving the feeler arm frontwardly on each detecting beat to relieve the pressure of the feeler against the filling.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler arm mounted for lateral displacement by the filling on detecting beats and having a filling engaging end adapted to move along the filling carrier freely a maximum amount when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat and to move freely along the filling carrier a minimum amount when the filling is substantially exhausted, and means rendered effective to change the loom operation when the feeler is moved along the feeler carrier the minimum amount. i

- 3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler arm mounted for lateral displacement by the filling on detecting beats and having a filling engaging end adapted to move along the filling carrier freely a maximum amount when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat and a minimum amount when the filling is substantially exhausted, and means rendered effective to change the loom operation when the feeler arm is moved along the filling carrier the minimum amount, and means independent of the filling for moving the feeler arm frontwardly on each detecting beat to relieve the pressure of the feeler against the filling. I

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier mounted for movement in a curved path towards and from the front of the loom, a feeler arm extending rearwardly from the feeler carrier and having a filling engaging end adapted to move along the filling carrier a maximum amount when a working supply of filling is in the shuttle on, adetecting beat, and a'minimum amount when the filling is substantially exhausted, and means independent of the filling for moving the feeler carrier and feeler arm in a vertically curved path towards the front of the loom adapted to .roll freely :along the filling in the shuttle in amounts dependent upon the diameter of the filling in the shuttle, a support for the feeler arm mounted for movement ztowards and from the front of the lloom, and means independent of the filling for moving the feeler support and. consequently the feeler arm and roller towards the 'front'of the loom on detecting beats to relieve the pressure of'the roller against the filling as the roller travels along-the filling.

=6..'II1 'a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a slide mounted'onthefeeler carrier for movement transversely of the loom, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier and connected to the slide, andadap'ted to freely move along the filling .on'detecting beats regardless of the amount of filling in theshuttle and thereby cause movement of the slide transversely of the loom, and means actuated by a going part of the :loom to engage the slide and move the feeler carrier frontwardly on detecting beats to relieve the pressure of the feeler end against the filling as it moves along 'the filling. V

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier mounted for movement towards and from the front of the loom, a transversely movable slide mounted on the feeler carrier, a feeler arm' connected 'to'theslide and pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier and having a filling engaging end adapted to move freely along theifilling on detecting beat-s t'o'thereby move the slide, and .a cam follower adapted to move 'the feeler carrier frontwardly to relieve the pressure ofthe roller against the filling on detecting beats. V

8. In a feeler :mechanism for looms, combinationof the lay movable in a curved path towards and ifrom the front of the l00m,-a feeler carrier mounted for movement in a curved path towards and from the front of the loom,; a "feeler :arm pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier and extending rearwardly therefrom that its filling engaging endmay move in a curvedpath substantially-.coincident with the path oflay movementya slide mounted on the feeler carrier and .connectedito the feeler arm, and a cam.

follower for'moving'the feeler carrier frontwardly on a detecting beat to relieve the pressure of :th'efeeler arm against'the fillmg. g

59. In a feeler mechanism for looms, "the combination 10f i'a feeler carrier mounted for movementitowards and from-the front: of the the v loom, a feeler arm pivotallymounted-on the feeler carrier, a slide mounted on the feeler carrier for movement transversely of the loom and vconnected to the feeler arm for effecting movement of the slide in :accordance with indications of filling condition by the feeler arm, a cam follower for :engaging the slide on a detecting-beat-to'move the feeler carrier frontwardly and relieve the pressure against the filling, and :a replenishing transmitter adapted to be engagedby the slide as itis moved frontwardly'by the cam follower on indication ofsubcstantial exhaustion of filling.

'10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of the-lay, afeeler carrier pivottecting beat to relievethe pressure of the feeler against the filling, and a replenishing transmitter adapted to be actuated by the slide whenthe slide fails to :be moved a predetermined amount by the feeler arm.

In testimony whereof, I have "signed .my name to'this specification.

JOHN ac. BROOKS.

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